Damping a Telesurgical System

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for damping vibrations in a surgical system are disclosed herein. The damping of these vibrations can increase the precision of surgery performed using the surgical system. The surgical system can include one or several moveable set-up linkages. A damper can be connected with one or several of the set-up linkages. The damper can be a passive damper and can mitigate a vibration arising in one or more of the set-up linkages. The damper can additionally prevent a vibration arising in one of the linkages from affecting another of the set-up linkages. In some embodiments the damper is a squeeze film damper. In some embodiments, the squeeze film damper includes an insert having a plurality of first protrusions, a cup configured to receive the insert, and the cup having a having a plurality of second protrusions interdigitated with the plurality of first protrusions.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/814,851 filed Jul. 31, 2015 and claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/032,485, entitled “DAMPING A TELESURGICAL SYSTEM,” filed Aug. 1, 2014, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive medical techniques are intended to reduce the amount of extraneous tissue that is damaged during diagnostic or surgical procedures, thereby reducing patient recovery time, discomfort, and deleterious side effects. One effect of minimally invasive surgery, for example, is reduced post-operative hospital recovery times. Because the average hospital stay for a standard surgery is typically significantly longer than the average stay for an analogous minimally invasive surgery, increased use of minimally invasive techniques could save millions of dollars in hospital costs each year. While many of the surgeries performed each year in the United States could potentially be performed in a minimally invasive manner, only a portion of the current surgeries use these advantageous techniques due to limitations in minimally invasive surgical instruments and the additional surgical training involved in mastering them.

Minimally invasive teleoperated robotic surgical or telesurgical systems have been developed to increase a surgeon's dexterity and avoid some of the limitations on traditional minimally invasive techniques. In telesurgery, the surgeon uses some form of remote control (e.g., a servomechanism or the like) and computer assistance to manipulate surgical instrument movements, rather than directly holding and moving the instruments by hand. In telesurgery systems, the surgeon can be provided with an image of the surgical site at a surgical workstation. While viewing a two or three dimensional image of the surgical site on a display, the surgeon performs the surgical procedures on the patient by manipulating master control devices, which in turn control motion of the slave servo-mechanically operated instruments.

The servomechanism system used for telesurgery will often accept input from two master controllers (one for each of the surgeon's hands) and may include two or more robotic arms on each of which a surgical instrument is mounted. Operative communication between master controllers and associated robotic arm and instrument assemblies is typically achieved through a control system. The control system typically includes at least one processor that relays input commands from the master controllers to the associated robotic arm and instrument assemblies and back from the instrument and arm assemblies to the associated master controllers in the case of, for example, force feedback or the like. One example of a teleoperated robotic surgical system is the DA VINCI® Surgical System commercialized by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif.

A variety of structural arrangements can be used to support the surgical instrument at the surgical site during robotic surgery. The driven linkage or “slave” is often called a robotic surgical manipulator, and exemplary linkage arrangements for use as a robotic surgical manipulator during minimally invasive robotic surgery are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,594,912; 6,758,843; 6,246,200; and 5,800,423; the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. These linkages often make use of a parallelogram arrangement to hold an instrument having a shaft. Such a manipulator structure can constrain movement of the instrument so that the instrument pivots about a remote center of manipulation positioned in space along the length of the rigid shaft. By aligning the remote center of manipulation with the incision point to the internal surgical site (for example, with a trocar or cannula at an abdominal wall during laparoscopic surgery), an end effector of the surgical instrument can be positioned safely by moving the proximal end of the shaft using the manipulator linkage without imposing potentially dangerous forces against the abdominal wall. Alternative manipulator structures are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,763,015; 6,702,805; 6,676,669; 5,855,583; 5,808,665; 5,445,166; and 5,184,601; the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

A variety of structural arrangements can also be used to support and position the robotic surgical manipulator and the surgical instrument at the surgical site during robotic surgery. Supporting linkage mechanisms, sometimes referred to as set-up joints, or set-up joint arms, are often used to position and align each manipulator with the respective incision point in a patient's body. The supporting linkage mechanism facilitates the alignment of a surgical manipulator with a desired surgical incision point and targeted anatomy. Exemplary supporting linkage mechanisms are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,246,200 and 6,788,018, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

While the new telesurgical systems and devices have proven highly effective and advantageous, still further improvements are desirable. In general, improved minimally invasive robotic surgery systems are desirable. It would be particularly beneficial if these improved technologies enhanced the efficiency and ease of use of robotic surgical systems. For example, it would be particularly beneficial to increase maneuverability, improve space utilization in an operating room, provide a faster and easier set-up, inhibit collisions between robotic devices during use, and/or reduce the mechanical complexity and size of these new surgical systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a damped surgical system. The damped surgical system includes a base, a surgical tool, and a linkage supporting the surgical tool relative to the base, the linkage including a series of arms with a plurality of joints disposed between adjacent arms so that commanded movements of the surgical tool relative to the base are effected by articulation of the joints. In some embodiments, one of the joints includes a first arm portion connected to the base, a second arm portion having a first end connected to the base via the first arm portion and a second end connected to the surgical tool, and a damper positioned between the first arm portion and a second arm portion.

In some embodiments, the damper includes a spring element and a damping element. In some embodiments, the damper includes a damping platform having 3 degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, the damping platform includes a top plate and a bottom plate connected by a flexure, which can be an axial flexure, and a plurality of dampers radially positioned around the flexure. In some embodiments, the flexure includes a constant radius between the portion of the flexure connecting to the top plate and the portion of the flexure connecting to the bottom plate. In some embodiments, the flexure includes a non-constant radius between the portion of the flexure connecting to the top plate and the portion of the flexure connecting to the bottom plate. In some embodiments, the radius of the portion of the flexure connecting to the top plate is larger than the radius of the portion of the flexure connecting to the bottom plate. In some embodiments, the top plate and the bottom plate of the damping platform are connected by a radial flexure including a middle plate and a plurality of vertical walls extending from the middle plate to the top plate.

In some embodiments, the damped surgical system includes a decoupling flexure between the flexure and the radial flexure. In some embodiments, the damping platform includes a top plate and a bottom plate connected by a shaft cantilevered to the bottom plate and connected to the top plate via a ball pivot. In some embodiments, the damping platform further includes a plurality of dampers radially positioned around the shaft. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of dampers is paired with a spring. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of dampers includes a coil-over damper.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a damped robotic surgery system. The damped robotic surgery system includes a base, a first arm portion connected to the base, a second arm portion having a first end connected to the base via the first arm portion and a second end connected to a surgical tool, and a squeeze film damper positioned between the first arm portion and a second arm portion.

In some embodiments, the squeeze film damper includes a cup and an insert, and a damping fluid between the cup and the insert. In some embodiments, the cup includes a plurality of inwardly extending ridges and the insert comprises a plurality of outwardly extending ridges. In some embodiments, the plurality of inwardly extending ridges are interdigitated with the plurality of outwardly extending ridges.

In some embodiments, the squeeze film damper has 3 degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, the patient side cart includes a plurality of robotic mechanisms.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a position of a second arm during surgery. The method includes positioning a robotic linkage base adjacent to a patient for a surgical proceeding, positioning a first surgical tool proximate to the patent, the first surgical tool supported relative to the base by a first arm, positioning a second surgical tool proximate to the patient, which second surgical tool is supported relative to the base by a second arm and the first and second arm are mechanically connected via a damper, directing the movement of the first arm, which movement of the first arm creates vibrations, and dissipating the created vibrations at the damper so as to inhibit uncommanded movement of the second tool.

In some embodiments, the first arm includes a first arm portion connected to the patient side cart, and a second arm portion having a first end connected to the patient side cart via the first arm portion and a second end connected to a surgical tool. In some embodiments, the damper is positioned between the first arm portion and the second arm portion. In some embodiments, the damper dissipates the created vibrations such that the second end of the second arm portion does not vibrate.

In some embodiments, the damper includes a damping platform having a top plate and a bottom plate connected by a flexure, which can be, for example, an axial flexure, and a plurality of dampers radially positioned around the flexure. In some embodiments, the flexure includes a constant radius between the portion of the flexure connecting to the top plate and the portion of the flexure connecting to the bottom plate. In some embodiments, the flexure includes a non-constant radius between the portion of the flexure connecting to the top plate and the portion of the flexure connecting to the bottom plate. In some embodiments, the radius of the portion of the flexure connecting to the top plate is larger than the radius of the portion of the flexure connecting to the bottom plate. In some embodiments, the top plate and the bottom plate of the damping platform are connected by a radial flexure including a middle plate and a plurality of vertical walls extending from the middle plate to the top plate. In some embodiments of the method, the damper includes a decoupling flexure between the flexure and the radial flexure. In some embodiments, the damping platform includes a top plate and a bottom plate connected by a shaft cantilevered to the bottom plate and connected to the top plate via a ball pivot. In some embodiments, the damping platform includes a plurality dampers radially positioned around the shaft. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of dampers is paired with a spring, and in some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of dampers includes a coil-over damper.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings. Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a minimally invasive robotic surgery system being used to perform a surgery, in accordance with many embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a surgeon's control console for a robotic surgery system, in accordance with many embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a robotic surgery system electronics cart, in accordance with many embodiments.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a robotic surgery system, in accordance with many embodiments.

FIG. 5A is a partial view of a patient side cart (surgical robot) of a robotic surgery system, in accordance with many embodiments.

FIG. 5B is a front view of a robotic surgery tool, in accordance with many embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a robotic surgery system, in accordance with many embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates rotational orientation limits of set-up linkages relative to an orienting platform of the robotic surgery system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a center of gravity diagram associated with a rotational limit of the boom assembly for a robotic surgery system, in accordance with many embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a remote center manipulator, in accordance with many embodiments, that includes a curved feature having a constant radius of curvature relative to the remote center of manipulation and along which a base link of the outboard linkage can be repositioned.

FIG. 10 shows a remote center manipulator, in accordance with many embodiments, that includes a closed-loop curved feature to which a base link of the outboard linkage is interfaced such that the base link is constrained to move along the closed-loop curved feature.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the remote center manipulator in a configuration of maximum pitch back of the instrument holder relative to the remote center of manipulation, in accordance with many embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of the robotic surgery system.

FIG. 13 is a section view of one embodiment of portions of the set-up linkage.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a damper for use with the robotic surgery system.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a damper for use with the robotic surgery system.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a damper for use with the robotic surgery system.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a damper for use with the robotic surgery system.

FIG. 18 is a section view of one embodiment of a squeeze film damper for use with the robotic surgery system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

The kinematic linkage structures and control systems described herein are particularly beneficial in helping system users to arrange the robotic structure of a procedure on a particular patient. The damping of these kinematic linkage structures can increase the control a surgeon has over movement of one or several surgical tools, and thus can allow a more precise surgery. In this description, actively driven, or active, means a motor assists motion of a joint, and passive means a joint must be moved in some way from outside the system. Some actively driven joints are teleoperated, such as joints in a teleoperated surgical instrument manipulator under a surgeon's control. Other actively driven joints are not teleoperated, such as joints operated by a switch near the joint or that are associated with an automatic function such as compensating for gravity effects on a kinematic chain to make the end of the chain appear weightless at various changing poses. Along with actively driven manipulators used to interact with tissues and the like during treatment, robotic surgical systems may have one or more kinematic linkage systems that are configured to support and help align the manipulator structure with the surgical work site. These set-up systems may be actively driven or may be passive, so that they are manually articulated and then locked into the desired configuration while the manipulator is used therapeutically and/or operatively. The passive set-up kinematic systems may have advantages in size, weight, complexity, and cost. However, a plurality of manipulators may be used to treat tissues of each patient, and the manipulators may each independently benefit from accurate positioning so as to allow the instrument supported by that instrument to have the desired motion throughout the workspace. Minor changes in the relative locations of adjacent manipulators may have significant impact on the interactions between manipulators (for example, they may collide with each other, or the rigidity of the kinematics of the pose may be low enough to result in large structural vibrations). Hence, the challenges of optimally arranging the robotic system in preparation for surgery can be significant.

One option is to mount multiple manipulators to a single platform, with the manipulator-supporting platform sometimes being referred to as an orienting platform. The orienting platform can be supported by an actively driven support linkage (sometimes referred to herein as a set-up structure, and typically having a set-up structure linkage, etc.). The system may also provide and control motorized axes of the robotic set-up structure supporting the orienting platform with some kind of joystick or set of buttons that would allow the user to actively drive those axes as desired in an independent fashion. This approach, while useful in some situations, may suffer from some disadvantages. Firstly, users not sufficiently familiar with robotics, kinematics, range of motion limitations and manipulator-to-manipulator collisions may find it difficult to know where to position the orienting platform in order to achieve a good setup. Secondly, the presence of any passive joints within the system means that the positioning of the device involves a combination of manual adjustment (moving the passive degrees of freedom by hand) as well as controlling the active degrees of freedom, which can be a difficult and time-consuming iterative activity.

To maintain the advantages of both manual and actively-driven positioning of the robotic manipulators, embodiments of the robotic systems described herein may employ a set-up mode in which one or more joints are actively driven in response to manual articulation of one or more other joints of the kinematic chain. In many embodiments, the actively driven joints will move a platform-supporting linkage structure that supports multiple manipulators, greatly facilitating the arrangement of the overall system by moving those manipulators as a unit into an initial orientational and/or positional alignment with the workspace. Independent positioning of one, some or all of the manipulators supported by the platform can optionally be provided through passive set-up joint systems supporting one, some, or all of the manipulators relative to the platform.

Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a plan view illustration of a Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgical (MIRS) system 10, typically used for performing a minimally invasive diagnostic or surgical procedure on a Patient 12 who is lying down on an Operating table 14. The system can include a Surgeon's Console 16 for use by a Surgeon 18 during the procedure. One or more Assistants 20 may also participate in the procedure. The MIRS system 10 can further include a Patient Side Cart 22 (a teleoperated surgical system that employs robotic technology-a surgical robot) and an Auxiliary Equipment Cart 24. The Patient Side Cart 22 can manipulate at least one removably coupled tool assembly 26 (hereinafter simply referred to as a “tool”) through a minimally invasive incision in the body of the Patient 12 while the Surgeon 18 views the surgical site through the Console 16. An image of the surgical site can be obtained by an endoscope 28, such as a stereoscopic endoscope, which can be manipulated by the Patient Side Cart 22 to orient the endoscope 28. The Equipment Cart 24 can be used to process the images of the surgical site for subsequent display to the Surgeon 18 through the Surgeon's Console 16. The number of surgical tools 26 used at one time will generally depend on the diagnostic or surgical procedure and the space constraints within the operating room among other factors. If it is necessary to change one or more of the tools 26 being used during a procedure, an Assistant 20 may remove the tool 26 from the Patient Side Cart 22, and replace it with another tool 26 from a tray 30 in the operating room.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Surgeon's Console 16. The Surgeon's Console 16 includes a left eye display 32 and a right eye display 34 for presenting the Surgeon 18 with a coordinated stereo view of the surgical site that enables depth perception. The Console 16 further includes one or more input control devices 36, which in turn cause the Patient Side Cart 22 (shown in FIG. 1) to manipulate one or more tools. The input control devices 36 can provide the same degrees of freedom as their associated tools 26 (shown in FIG. 1) to provide the Surgeon with telepresence, or the perception that the input control devices 36 are integral with the tools 26 so that the Surgeon has a strong sense of directly controlling the tools 26. To this end, position, force, and tactile feedback sensors (not shown) may be employed to transmit position, force, and tactile sensations from the tools 26 back to the Surgeon's hands through the input control devices 36.

The Surgeon's Console 16 is usually located in the same room as the patient so that the Surgeon may directly monitor the procedure, be physically present if necessary, and speak to an Assistant directly rather than over the telephone or other communication medium. However, the Surgeon can be located in a different room, a completely different building, or other remote location from the Patient allowing for remote surgical procedures.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Auxiliary Equipment Cart 24. The Equipment Cart 24 can be coupled with the endoscope 28 and can include a processor to process captured images for subsequent display, such as to a Surgeon on the Surgeon's Console, or on another suitable display located locally and/or remotely. For example, where a stereoscopic endoscope is used, the Equipment Cart 24 can process the captured images to present the Surgeon with coordinated stereo images of the surgical site. Such coordination can include alignment between the opposing images and can include adjusting the stereo working distance of the stereoscopic endoscope. As another example, image processing can include the use of previously determined camera calibration parameters to compensate for imaging errors of the image capture device, such as optical aberrations. Equipment cart 24 may include other surgical system components, such as at least part of a computer control system used to control the system, endoscopic illumination equipment, electrosurgery equipment, and other medically-related devices.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a robotic surgery system 50 (such as MIRS system 10 of FIG. 1). As discussed above, a Surgeon's Console 52 (such as Surgeon's Console 16 in FIG. 1) can be used by a Surgeon to control a Patient Side Cart (Surgical Robot) 54 (such as Patent Side Cart 22 in FIG. 1) during a minimally invasive procedure. The Patient Side Cart 54 can use an imaging device, such as a stereoscopic endoscope, to capture images of the procedure site and output the captured images to an Electronics Cart 56 (such as the Equipment Cart 24 in FIG. 1). As discussed above, the Electronics Cart 56 can process the captured images in a variety of ways prior to any subsequent display. For example, the Electronics Cart 56 can overlay the captured images with a virtual control interface prior to displaying the combined images to the Surgeon via the Surgeon's Console 52. The Patient Side Cart 54 can output the captured images for processing outside the Electronics Cart 56. For example, the Patient Side Cart 54 can output the captured images to a processor 58, which can be used to process the captured images. The images can also be processed by a combination the Electronics Cart 56 and the processor 58, which can be coupled together to process the captured images jointly, sequentially, and/or combinations thereof. One or more separate displays 60 can also be coupled with the processor 58 and/or the Electronics Cart 56 for local and/or remote display of images, such as images of the procedure site, or other related images.

Processor 58 will typically include a combination of hardware and software, with the software comprising tangible media embodying computer readable code instructions for performing the method steps of the control functionally described herein. The hardware typically includes one or more data processing boards, which may be co-located but will often have components distributed among the robotic structures described herein. The software will often comprise a non-volatile media, and could also comprise a monolithic code but will more typically comprise a number of subroutines, optionally running in any of a wide variety of distributed data processing architectures.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a Patient Side Cart 22 and a surgical tool 62, respectively. The surgical tool 62 is an example of the surgical tools 26. The Patient Side Cart 22 shown provides for the manipulation of three surgical tools 26 and an imaging device 28, such as a stereoscopic endoscope used for the capture of images of the site of the procedure. Manipulation is provided by robotic mechanisms having a number of robotic joints. The imaging device 28 and the surgical tools 26 can be positioned and manipulated through incisions in the patient so that a kinematic remote center is maintained at the incision to minimize the size of the incision. Images of the surgical site can include images of the distal ends of the surgical tools 26 when they are positioned within the field-of-view of the imaging device 28.

Surgical tools 26 are inserted into the patient by inserting a tubular cannula 64 through a minimally invasive access aperture such as an incision, natural orifice, percutaneous penetration, or the like. Cannula 64 is mounted to the robotic manipulator arm and the shaft of surgical tool 26 passes through the lumen of the cannula. The manipulator arm may transmit signals indicating that the cannula has been mounted thereon.

Robotic Surgery Systems and Modular Manipulator Supports

FIG. 6 is a simplified representation of a robotic surgery system 140, in accordance with many embodiments. The robotic surgery system 140 includes a mounting base 72, a support linkage 122, an orienting platform 124, a plurality of set-up linkages 126 (two shown), and a plurality of surgical instrument manipulators 82. Each of the manipulators 82 is operable to selectively articulate a surgical instrument mounted to the manipulator 82 and insertable into a patient along an insertion axis. Each of the manipulators 82 is attached to and supported by one of the set-up linkages 126. Each of the set-up linkages 126 is rotationally coupled to and supported by the orienting platform 124 by a first set-up linkage joint 84. Each of the set-up linkages 126 is fixedly attached to and supported by the orienting platform 124. The orienting platform 124 is rotationally coupled to and supported by the support linkage 122. And the support linkage 122 is fixedly attached to and supported by the mounting base 72.

In many embodiments, the mounting base 72 is a movable and floor supported, thereby enabling selective repositioning of the overall surgery system 70, for example, within an operating room. The mounting base 72 can include a steerable wheel assembly and/or any other suitable support features that provide for both selective repositioning as well as selectively preventing movement of the mounting base 72 from a selected position. The mounting base 72 can also have other suitable configurations, for example, a ceiling mount, fixed floor/pedestal mount, a wall mount, or an interface configured for being supported by any other suitable mounting surface.

The support linkage 122 is configured to selectively position and orient the orienting platform 124 relative to the mounting base 72 via relative movement between links of the support linkage 122 along multiple set-up structure axes. The support linkage 122 includes a column base 86, a translatable column member 88, a shoulder joint 90, a boom base member 92, a boom first stage member 94, and a wrist joint 98. The column base 86 is fixedly attached to the mounting base 72. The translatable column member 88 is selectively repositionable relative to the column base 86 along a first set-up structure (SUS) axis 142, which is vertically oriented in many embodiments. In many embodiments, the translatable column member 88 translates relative to the column base 86 along a vertically oriented axis. The boom base member 92 is rotationally coupled to the translatable column member 88 by the shoulder joint 90. The shoulder joint 90 is operable to selectively orient the boom base member 92 relative to the translatable column member 88 around a second SUS axis 144, which is vertically oriented in many embodiments. The boom first stage member 94 is selectively repositionable relative to the boom base member 92 along a third SUS axis 146, which is horizontally oriented in many embodiments. Accordingly, the support linkage 122 is operable to selectively set the distance between the shoulder joint 90 and the distal end of the boom first stage member 94. And the wrist joint 98 is operable to selectively orient the orienting platform 124 relative to the boom first stage member 94 around a fourth SUS axis 148, which is vertically oriented in many embodiments.

Each of the set-up linkages 126 is configured to selectively position and orient the associated manipulator 82 relative to the orienting platform 124 via relative movement between links of the set-up linkage 126 along multiple set-up joint (SUJ) axes. Each of the first set-up linkage joint 84 is operable to selectively orient the associated set-up linkage base link 100 relative to the orienting platform 124 around a first SUJ axis 150, which in many embodiments is vertically oriented. Each of the set-up linkage extension links 102 can be selectively repositioned relative to the associated set-up linkage base link 10 along a second SUJ axis 152, which is horizontally oriented in many embodiments. Each of the set-up linkage vertical links 106 can be selectively repositioned relative to the associated set-up linkage extension link 102 along a third SUJ axis 154, which is vertically oriented in many embodiments. Each of the second set-up linkage joints 108 is operable to selectively orient the mechanism support link 128 relative to the set-up linkage vertical link 106 around the third SUJ axis 154. Each of the joints 132 is operable to rotate the associated manipulator 82 around the associated axis 138.

FIG. 7 illustrates rotational orientation limits of the set-up linkages 126 relative to the orienting platform 124, in accordance with many embodiments. Each of the set-up linkages 126 is shown in a clockwise limit orientation relative to the orienting platform 124. A corresponding counter-clockwise limit orientation is represented by a mirror image of FIG. 7 relative to a vertically-oriented mirror plane. As illustrated, each of the two inner set-up linkages 126 can be oriented from 5 degrees from a vertical reference 156 in one direction to 75 degrees from the vertical reference 156 in the opposite direction. And as illustrated, each of the two outer set-up linkages can be oriented from 15 degrees to 95 degrees from the vertical reference 156 in a corresponding direction.

FIG. 8 shows a center of gravity diagram associated with a rotational limit of a support linkage for a robotic surgery system 160, in accordance with many embodiments. With components of the robotic surgery system 160 positioned and oriented to shift the center-of-gravity 162 of the robotic surgery system 160 to a maximum extent to one side relative to a support linkage 164 of the surgery system 160, a shoulder joint of the support linkage 164 can be configured to limit rotation of the support structure 164 around a set-up structure (SUS) shoulder-joint axis 166 to prevent exceeding a predetermined stability limit of the mounting base.

FIG. 9 illustrates another approach for the implementation of a redundant axis that passes through the remote center of manipulation (RC) and the associated redundant mechanical degree of freedom. FIG. 9 shows a remote center manipulator 260, in accordance with many embodiments, that includes a mounting base 262 that includes a curved feature 264 having a constant radius of curvature relative to the remote center of manipulation (RC) and along which a base link 266 of the outboard (proximal) linkage of the manipulator 260 can be repositioned. The outboard linkage is mounted to the base link 266, which includes a “yaw” joint feature, for rotation about a first axis 268 that intersects the remote center of manipulation (RC). The base link 266 is interfaced with the curved feature 264 such that the base link 266 is constrained to be selectively repositioned along the curved feature 264, thereby maintaining the position of the remote center of manipulation (RC) relative to the mounting base 262, which is held in a fixed position relative to the patient. The curved feature 264 is configured such that movement of the base link 266 is limited to rotation about a second axis 270 that intersects the remote center of manipulation (RC). By changing the position of the base link 266 along the curved feature 264, the orientation of the outboard linkage of the manipulator 260 relative to the patient can be varied, thereby providing for increased range of motion of the surgical instrument manipulated by the remote center manipulator 260. Parallelogram mechanism 272 provides rotation around axis 274. It can be seen that as the entire parallelogram mechanism rotates around axis 268, axes 270 and 274 can be made coincident.

FIG. 10 illustrates another approach for the implementation of a redundant axis that passes through the remote center of manipulation (RC), providing an associated redundant degree of freedom. FIG. 10 shows a remote center manipulator 280, in accordance with many embodiments, that includes a mounting base 282 that includes a closed-loop curved feature 284 inside which a base link 286 of the outboard (distal) linkage of the manipulator 280 can be repositioned. As shown, central mount element 285 rotates inside closed-loop curved feature 284. Base link 286 is mounted on the central mount element 285 to be oriented somewhat inward toward the remote center of manipulation. The outboard linkage is mounted to the base link 286 for rotation about a first axis 288 that intersects the remote center of manipulation (RC). The closed-loop curved feature 284 is configured such that, for all positions of the base link 286 around the curved feature 284, the position of the remote center of manipulation (RC) remains fixed relative to the mounting base 282, which is held fixed relative to the patient. The closed-loop curved feature 284 is circular and is axially-symmetric about a second axis 290 that intersects the remote center of manipulation (RC). By changing the position of the base link 286 around the closed-loop curved feature 284, the orientation of the outboard linkage of the manipulator 280 relative to the patient can be varied, thereby providing for increased range of motion, arm-to-arm or arm-to-environment collision avoidance, and/or kinematic singularity avoidance for the remote center manipulator 280. A “partial circle” feature or a full circular feature where the mounting base only traverses a portion of the circle can also be used. It can be seen that curved feature 284 and its associated central mount feature 285 act as a conical sweep joint.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the remote center manipulator 320 in which the instrument holder 342 is pitched back to a maximum amount. In the configuration shown, the first parallelogram link 330 has been swung to a position just past being aligned with the extension link 324 and the second parallelogram link 336 has been swung to a position just past being aligned with the first parallelogram link 330, thereby orienting the insertion axis 366 to an angular offset of 75 degrees from a perpendicular 374 to the yaw axis 348. While the remote center manipulator 320 can be configured to achieve even greater maximum pitch back angle, for example, by increasing the length of the extension link 324 such that the instrument holder 342 does not come into contact with the yaw/pitch housing 346, the additional pitch back angle gained may not be of practical value given that the kinematics of the remote center manipulator 320 with regard to yawing of the instrument holder 342 relative to the remote center of manipulation (RC) becomes increasingly poorly conditioned when the angle between the insertion axis 366 and the yaw axis 348 is reduced below 15 degrees.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of the robotic surgery system 140. The robotic surgery system includes the orienting platform 124 with a single set-up linkage 126 attached to the orienting platform. The set-up linkage 126 includes the set-up linkage base link 100 connected to the orienting platform 124. As seen in FIG. 12, the set-up link extension link 102 slidably connects to the set-up link base link 100. Extending vertically from the set-up link extension link is the set-up linkage vertical link 106 that rotatably connects to the support link 128 via set-up linkage second joint 108. The distal end of the support link 128, with respect to the orienting platform 124 is connected via joint 132 to the remote center manipulator 320.

Damping of Robotic Surgery Systems

In some embodiments, MIRS 10 can be damped. In some embodiments, some or all of the set-up linkages 126 of MIRS 10 are damped such that vibrations arising in one of the set-up linkages 126 are mitigated to minimize vibration, and the therewith associated motion, in that set-up linkage 126. Additionally, in some embodiments, a vibration arising in one or more of the set-up linkages 126 may travel from the source of the vibration in the one or more set-up linkages 126 to others of the set-up linkages 126. This can result in a vibration arising in one or more of the set-up linkages 126 causing a vibration in some or all of the other set-up linkages, which can degrade the performance of MIRS 10.

In one embodiment, the set-up linkages can be vibrationally isolated from each other by one or several dampers. These one or several dampers can minimize vibration in a set-up linkage 126, which vibration arises in another set-up linkage 126. In some embodiments, these one or several dampers can be passive In some embodiments, one or several sensors on one set-up linkage 126 can measure a locally experienced vibration arising due to a motion, acceleration, or vibration of another set-up linkage 126, and can use this data to damp the locally experienced vibration.

FIG. 13 is a section view of one embodiment of portions of the set-up linkage 126 shown in FIG. 12. As seen in FIG. 13, the set-up linkage vertical link 106 has an internal volume 1302. In some embodiments, the internal volume 1302 of the set-up linkage vertical link 106 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13, the internal volume 1302 contains a damper 1304 that can be attached at one end to the set-up linkage vertical link 106 and at the other end to the support link 128. Damper 1304 can comprise a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs. In some embodiments, damper 1304 can be made from a variety of materials and/or components. In some embodiments, damper 1304 can be configured to damp along any desired number of degrees of freedom (DOF). In one embodiment, for example, the damper 1304 can be configured to damp along 1 DOF, 2 DOF, 3 DOF, 4 DOF, 5 DOF, 6 DOF, or along any other number or combination of DOFs. The damper 1304 can be configured to provide any desired level of damping. In some embodiments, the desired level of damping can be selected based on the desired frequency and magnitude of expected vibrations to be damped. Different example embodiments of the damper 1304 are depicted in FIGS. 14-18, and are identified as dampers 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, and 1800.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one example embodiment of a damper 1400. The damper 1400 comprises a damping platform that can be a 3 DOF damping platform, and specifically, 3 DOF torsional/bending flexure and three links. The damper 1400 has a top plate 1402 having a top surface 1404 and a bottom surface 1405 opposite the top surface, and a bottom plate 1406 having a bottom surface 1408 and a top surface 1409 opposite the bottom surface 1406. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, both the top plate 1402 and the bottom plate 1406 comprise cylindrical members, but in some embodiments, these plates 1402, 1406 can comprise any other desired shape or form. The plates 1402, 1406 can be made of a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the plates 1402, 1406 can be made from a rigid material and in some embodiments, the plates 1402, 1406 can be made from a flexible material.

In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 13, the top plate 1402 and the bottom plate 1406 can be configured to mate with and/or mechanically connect with portions of the set-up linkage 126. In one particular embodiment, the top plate 1402, and specifically the top surface 1404 of the top plate 1402 can rigidly connect to a portion of the set-up linkage vertical link 106 and the bottom plate 1406, and particularly the bottom surface 1408 of the bottom plate 1406 can rigidly connect to the support link 128.

The top plate 1402 and the bottom plate 1406 are connected by a flexure, and specifically by an torsional/bending flexure 1410. The torsional/bending flexure 1410 can be connected to any portion of one or both of the plates 1402, 1406, and in some embodiments, can be rigidly connected to both plates 1402, 1406. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, the torsional/bending flexure 1410 is rigidly connected to the center of the bottom surface 1405 of the top plate 1402 and to the center of the top surface 1409 of the bottom plate 1406. This connection to the center of the plates 1402, 1406 is indicated by axis 1412 that extends through the torsional/bending flexure 1410 and through the plates 1402, 1406.

The torsional/bending flexure 1410 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In some example embodiments, the torsional/bending flexure 1410 can comprise a cylindrical member, a triangular prism, a rectangular prism, a pentagonal prism, a hexagonal prism, or any other desired shape or combination of shapes. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, the torsional/bending member comprises a first portion 1414 nearest the top plate 1402 and a second portion 1416 nearest the bottom plate 1406. In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the first portion 1414 comprises a cylinder having a radius R1 and the second portion 1416 comprises the top half of a hyperboloid of one sheet.

The torsional/bending flexure 1410 can be made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the torsional/bending flexure 1410 can comprise a material that is deforms elastically over the range of applied forces from the robotic surgery system 140. In some embodiments, this elastic deformation results in the generation of a restorative force, which can move the flexure 1410 to an undeflected position after the applied force terminates. In some embodiments, the axial flexure 1410 can comprise an elastomeric material, a rubber, metal such as, for example, steel, aluminum, titanium, or the like, or any other elastic material.

In some embodiments, the damper 1400 can comprise one or several mounts 1418 that can be located on one or both of the plates 1402, 1406. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, the damper 1400 comprises three mounts 1418 located on, and arranged around the perimeter of, the bottom surface 1405 of the top plate 1402 and three mounts 1418 located on, and arranged around the perimeter of, the top surface 1409 of the bottom plate 1406. The mounts 1418 can connect one or several damping units 1420 to one or both of the plates 1402, 1406. In some embodiments, the mounts 1418 can comprise a 3-DOF mounts. In one embodiment, the mounts 1418 can comprise 3-DOF ball joint mounts, and in one embodiment, the mounts 1418 can comprise a 2-DOF U-joint mounted on a 1-DOF rotary base. In one embodiment, the 1-DOF rotary base can be mounted to rotate about an axis parallel to axis 1412 shown in FIG. 14.

The damping units 1420 can comprise a variety of types, shapes, and sizes. In some embodiments, the damping units 1420 can be configured to damp movements of the top plate 1402 relative to the bottom plate 1406. In one embodiment, these movements can include one or several motions of the top plate 1402 and bottom plate 1406 with respect to each other in one or several of the six Cartesian degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, the degrees of freedom in which movements can occur, and therefore in which movements can be damped can depend on the design of the specific damper. In one embodiment of the damper 1400 depicted in FIG. 14, the damper 1400 can be constrained in each of the three linear degrees of freedom and can deflect in any of the three orthogonal rotary degrees of freedom as indicated by pitch, roll, and yaw in that figure, and in another embodiment of the damper 1400 depicted in FIG. 14, the damper 1400 can deflect in any of the three orthogonal rotary degrees of freedom and in any of the three linear degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, embodiments, roll indicated in FIG. 14 can correspond to torsion, and pitch and/or yaw indicated in FIG. 14 can correspond to bending. In one embodiment, the damping units 1420 can comprise hydraulic shock absorbers, magnetic shock absorbers, pneumatic shock absorbers, or any other kind of passive shock absorber.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a damper 1500, which damper 1500 can be a damping platform such as 3 DOF damping platform, and specifically can be a hexapod. The damper 1500 of FIG. 15 includes a top plate 1502 having a top surface 1504 and a reverse bottom surface 1505, and a bottom plate 1506 having a bottom surface 1508 and a reverse top surface 1509. The plates 1502, 1506 can be the same or different than the plates 1402, 1406 disclosed above. In some embodiments, damper 1500 can be constrained in each of the three linear degrees of freedom and can deflect in any of the three orthogonal rotary degrees of freedom.

The top plate 1502 and the bottom plate 1510 can be connected by a shaft, and specifically by axial shaft 1510. As seen in FIG. 15, the axial shaft 1510 can connect to the top plate 1502 via a ball joint 1512 that can allow angular and rotational movement of the top plate 1502 with respect to the bottom plate 1506. In some embodiments, the axial shaft 1510 can connect to the bottom plate via a ball joint similar to ball joint 1512, and in some embodiments, the axial shaft 1510 can rigidly connect to the bottom plate 1506, and in one embodiment, can be cantilevered from the bottom plate 1506.

The shaft 1510 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the axial shaft 1510 can be sized and shaped, and made from a material to withstand the forces applied to it during the damping of vibrations arising from the movement of portions of the robotic surgery system 140. In some embodiments, the axial shaft 1510, and particularly in the embodiment of FIG. 15, the axial shaft can comprise a rigid member.

In some embodiments, the top and bottom plates 1502, 1506 can include a plurality of mounts 1514 that can connect one or several damping systems 1515 to the top and bottom plates 1502, 1506. In some embodiments, these mount 1514 can comprise 3-DOF mounts similar to those disclosed with respect to FIG. 14. In some embodiments, the damping system 1515 can be configured to damp motion and well as provide a restorative force in response to a motion damped by the damping system 1515. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the damping system 1515 comprises a damping unit 1516 having the same or different properties and attributes as the damping unit 1420 of FIG. 14, and one or several springs 1518 associated with one or several damping units 1516. In one embodiment, a spring 1518 can be uniquely associated with each damping unit 1516 of the damping system 1515. In some embodiments, the spring 1518 associated with the damping unit 1516 can be positioned proximate to the damping unit 1516, and in some embodiments, the spring 1518 and the damping unit 1516 can be integrated into a combined damping system 1515, such as, for example, the coil-over springs shown in FIG. 15.

The damper 1500 can comprise any desired number of damping systems 1515. In some embodiments, the damper 1400 can comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, 100, and/or any other or intermediate number of damping systems 1515, damping units 1516, and/or springs 1518.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a damper 1600. Similar to damper 1400, damper 1600 includes a top plate 1602 having a top surface 1604 and a reverse bottom surface 1605, and a bottom plate 1606 having a bottom surface 1608 and a reverse a top surface 1609. The top and bottom plates 1602. 1606 can be connected, at least in part, by an axial flexure 1610 that can extend along axis 1612.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 16, the top plate 1602 and the bottom plate 1606 can be separated by a middle plate 1614 that can have a top surface 1616 and a bottom surface 1618. The middle plate 1614 can be made of the same or different materials than one or both of the top and bottom plates 1602, 1606. In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the axial flexure 1610 can extend from the top surface 1609 of the bottom plate 1606 to the bottom surface 1618 of the middle plate 1614, which middle plate 1614 can be connected to the top plate 1602 via radial structure 1620, also referred to herein as a radial flexure, made of one or more vertical walls 1622 or other structure that extend outward from a center location. In some embodiments, the radial structure 1620 can be configured to deflect in response to a torsional force around the damper's longitudinal axis (axial torsion) applied to one or both of the top plate 1602 and the bottom plate 1606. In some embodiments, the vertical walls 1622 of the radial structure 1620 can be made of an elastically deformable material to allow the deformation of the radial structure 1620 in response to these applied forces, and in some embodiments, the vertical walls 1622 can be arranged to create one or several shapes such as, for example, a cross/cruciform, an x-shape, a y-shape, a five-spoke shape, and the like, as seen in plane extending through the radial structure 1620 between the top plate 1602 and the middle plate 1614.

The damper 1600 can include a plurality of mounts 1624 that can located on and/or attached to one or both of the bottom plate 1606 and the middle plate 1614. In some embodiments, these mounts 1624 can be used to connect one or several damping units 1626 to one or both of the bottom plate 1606 and the middle plate 1614. These mounts 1624 can comprise 3-DOF mounts similar to those disclosed above with respect to FIG. 14. Thus, as shown in FIG. 16 the bottom portion of damper 1600 may be optionally configured as generally described above for damper 1400 (FIG. 14), or it may be optionally configured as shown for other dampers such as damper 1500 (FIG. 15).

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a damper 1700. Similar to damper 1600, damper 1700 includes a top plate 1702 having a top surface 1704 and a reverse bottom surface 1705, and a bottom plate 1706 having a bottom surface 1708 and a reverse top surface 1709. The top and bottom plates 1702. 1706 can be connected, at least in part, by an axial flexure 1710 that can extend along axis 1712.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 17, the top plate 1702 and the bottom plate 1706 can be separated by a middle plate 1714 that can have a top surface 1716 and a bottom surface 1718. The middle plate 1714 can be made of the same or different materials than one or both of the top and bottom plates 1702, 1706. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the flexure 1710 can extend from the top surface 1709 of the bottom plate 1706 to the bottom surface 1718 of the middle plate 1714. In some embodiments, the bendability and elasticity of the axial flexure 1710 can be improved by the inclusion of a decoupling flexure 1711 positioned between the axial flexure 1710 and the middle plate 1714. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 17, the decoupling flexure 1711 comprises void 1713 within the middle plate 1714. The void 1713 is defined by a thin plate 1715 located proximate to the bottom surface 1718 of the middle plate 1714, a void top surface 1717 positioned opposite the thin plate 1715, and a perimeter side wall 1719 that extends around all or a portion of the perimeter of the void 1711 and connects the thin plate 1715 to the void top surface 1717. As seen in FIG. 17, the axial flexure 1710 connects with the middle plate 1714 via the thin plate 1715. In some embodiments, the void 1713 can increase the ability of the damper 1700 to damp vibrations/movements along one or several Cartesian degrees of freedom. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 17, for example, the void 1713 may allow a linear displacement of the middle plate 1714 with respect to the bottom plate 1706 along longitudinal axis 1712. Further, the void 1713 may allow rotations of the middle plate 1714 with respect to the bottom plate 1706 about axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1712.

In some embodiments, the middle plate 1714 can be connected to the top plate 1702 via radial structure 1720 made of one or more vertical walls 1722 or other structure that extend outward from a center location. In some embodiments, the radial structure 1720 can be configured to deflect in response to a torsional force around the damper's longitudinal axis (axial torsion) applied to one or both of the top plate 1702 and the bottom plate 1706. In some embodiments, the vertical walls 1722 of the radial structure 1720 can be made of an elastically deformable material to allow the deformation of the radial structure 1720 in response to these applied forces, and in some embodiments, the vertical walls 1722 can be arranged to create one or several shapes such as, for example, a cross/cruciform, a x-shape, a y-shape, a five-spoke shape, and the like, as seen in plane extending through the radial structure 1720 between the top plate 1702 and the middle plate 1714.

The damper 1700 can include a plurality of mounts 1724 that can located on and/or attached to one or both of the bottom plate 1706 and the middle plate 1714. In some embodiments, these mounts 1724 can be used to connect one or several damping units 1726 to one or both of the bottom plate 1706 and the middle plate 1714. These mounts 1724 can comprise 3-DOF mounts similar to those disclosed above with respect to FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a section view of one embodiment of a damper 1800, and specifically of an interdigitated damper. The damper 1800 includes a first piece 1802. The first piece 1802 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the first piece 1802 can be made of a material, and sized and shaped so as to be rigid for the loads applied to the damper 1800.

The first piece 1800, also referred to herein as an insert, can include a top plate 1804 having a top surface 1806 and a reverse bottom surface 1807. The first piece 1802 can further include a bottom surface 1808 located at the opposite end of the first piece 1802 as compared to the top surface 1806 of the top plate 1804.

As seen in FIG. 18, a longitudinal axis 1810 can extend through the center of the first piece 1802 between the top surface 1806 of the top plate 1804 and the bottom surface 1808 of the first piece 1802. The first piece can include a shaft 1812 that extends along the longitudinal axis 1810 and from the bottom surface 1807 of the top plate 1804 to the bottom surface 1808 of the first piece 1802. This shaft 1812 can comprise an elongate member that can be the same, or different material than the other portions of the first piece 1802.

In some embodiments, one or several protrusions 1814 can extend away from the shaft 1812. In some embodiments, these protrusions 1814 can be regularly or irregularly spaced along the length of the shaft 1812, as well as regularly or irregularly spaced around the perimeter of the shaft 1812. The protrusions 1814 can each comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, the protrusions 1814 can comprise a disk-shaped member radially extending from the either some or all of the perimeter of the shaft 1812. In some embodiments, the first piece 1802 can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, and/or any other or intermediate number of protrusions 1814.

The damper 1800 can include a second piece 1820, also referred to herein as a cup, that can be sized and shaped to receive some or all of the first piece 1802. The second piece 1820 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the second piece 1820 can be made of a material, and sized and shaped so as to be rigid for the loads applied to the damper 1800.

The second piece 1820 can include a top surface 1822, a reverse bottom surface 1824, and a side wall 1826 extending from the top surface 1822 to the bottom surface 1824 of the second piece 1820. In some embodiments, the side wall 1826 can include an interior wall 1828. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 18, the combination of the top and bottom surfaces 1822, 1824 and the interior wall 1828 can bound and/or partially bound an internal volume 1829 of the second piece 1820. In some embodiments, the internal volume 1829 of the second piece 1820 can receive some or all of the first piece 1802, and as depicted in FIG. 18, the internal volume 1829 can receive the shaft 1812 and the protrusions 1814 of the first piece 1802.

As seen in FIG. 18, in some embodiments, one or several mating protrusions 1830 can extend from the interior wall 1828 of the second piece 1820 towards the longitudinal axis 1810. In some embodiments, these mating protrusions 1830 can be regularly or irregularly spaced along the length of the interior wall 1828, as well as regularly or irregularly spaced around the perimeter of the interior wall. The mating protrusions 1830 can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, the mating protrusions 1830 can each comprise an annular-shaped member extending radially inward from the either some or all of the perimeter of the interior wall 1828. In some embodiments, the second piece 1820 can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, and/or any other or intermediate number of mating protrusions 1830.

In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 18, the protrusions 1814 and the mating protrusions 1830 can be positioned such that some or all of the mating protrusions 1830 extend between pairs of protrusions 1814. Similarly, in some embodiments, the protrusions 1814 and the mating protrusions 1830 can be sized and shaped such that when the first piece 1802 is received within the internal volume 1829 of the second piece 1820, the protrusions 1814 and the mating protrusions 1830 are interdigitated and that such that a film space 1832 exists between the protrusions and the mating protrusions 1830. In some embodiments, the film space 1832 can be filled with a material that can be a fluid or fluid like substance, such as powder. In some embodiments, the fluid can comprise a viscous fluid and/or a highly viscous fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid can have a viscosity of at least 20 centipoise, 50 centipoise, 100 centipoise, 200 centipoise, 500 centipoise, 1000 centipoise, 1500 centipoise, 2000 centipoise, and/or of any other or intermediate value. In some embodiments, a fluid is a highly viscous fluid when it has a viscosity of at least 200 centipoise. In some embodiments, the material in the film space can be selected to provide the desired damping level in the damper 1800. In some embodiments, and as seen in FIG. 18, the film space 1832 can be sealed by, for example, seal 1834. The seal 1834 can be any type of seal including, for example, a gasket, an O-ring, or the like.

In some embodiments, a spring can extend from the first piece 1802 to the second piece 1820. In some embodiments, the spring can be configured to apply a restorative force to the first and second pieces 1802, 1820 after they have been moved relative to each other. In some embodiments, the spring can be a 1 DOF spring, a 2 DOF spring, a 3 DOF spring, a 4 DOF spring, a 5 DOF spring, a 6 DOF spring, or a spring active along any other number or combination of DOFs. In one embodiment, the spring can be a torsion spring, a compression spring, a tension spring, or any other kind of spring. The spring can comprise any desired shape and size, and can be made from any desired material. In some embodiments, the spring can be designed so as to provide a desired strength of restorative force to the first and second pieces 1802, 1820.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical system comprising: a base; a first link mechanically coupled to the base; a second link mechanically coupled to the first link at a squeeze film damper; and a surgical tool supported by the second link.
 2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the squeeze film damper comprises a cup, an insert, and a damping fluid between the cup and the insert.
 3. The surgical system of claim 2, wherein: the cup comprises a plurality of inwardly extending ridges; and the insert comprises a plurality of outwardly extending ridges.
 4. The surgical system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of inwardly extending ridges are interdigitated with the plurality of outwardly extending ridges.
 5. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the squeeze film damper has at least 3 mechanical degrees of freedom.
 6. The surgical system of claim 5, wherein the at least 3 mechanical degrees of freedom include: a rotational degree of freedom about an axis; a pitch degree of freedom relative to the axis; and a yaw degree of freedom relative to the axis.
 7. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the squeeze film damper comprises an insert having a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from a top surface to a bottom surface.
 8. The surgical system of claim 7, wherein the insert further comprises a plurality of protrusions extending around a perimeter of the shaft.
 9. The surgical system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of protrusions are spaced irregularly along a length of the shaft.
 10. The surgical system of claim 7, wherein the squeeze film damper further comprises a cup having an inner wall configured receive the insert.
 11. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein the cup comprises a plurality of protrusions configured to mate with corresponding protrusions of the insert.
 12. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of protrusions are spaced irregularly along the inner wall.
 13. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein the squeeze film damper further comprises a film space located between the insert and the inner wall of the cup, the film space being configured to receive a fluid or powder.
 14. The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the fluid has a viscosity of at least 20 centipoise and at most 2000 centipoise.
 15. The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the squeeze film damper further comprises a seal configured to seal the film space.
 16. The surgical system of claim 15, wherein the seal comprises a gasket or an o-ring.
 17. The surgical system of claim 15, wherein: the insert comprises a plurality of first protrusions; the cup comprises a plurality of second protrusions; the plurality of first protrusions are interdigitated with the plurality of second protrusions; and the film space is located between the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions.
 18. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein the squeeze film damper further comprises a spring extending between the insert and the cup.
 19. The surgical system of claim 18, wherein the spring is a torsion spring, a compression spring, or a tension spring.
 20. The surgical system of claim 18, wherein the spring has one or more degrees of freedom. 